E. Franklin Frazier was a smart man. 

E. Franklin Frazier was a smart man. 

E. Franklin Frazier was a famous writer and scholar. 

E. Franklin Frazier was a very important American scholar. He spent his life studying sociology. Sociology is the study of how people live in groups. 
Frazier studied many different subjects when he was young. He went to school in Baltimore. Later, he went to Howard University. This was a famous college for Black students. 
Frazier wrote many books and articles during his life. One of his most famous books came out in 1939. It was called The Negro Family in the United States. This book looked at how slavery changed Black families. The book won a big award in 1940. 
His life had some very difficult moments. In 1927, he wrote an article about prejudice. He said that prejudice was like a sickness in the mind. This caused many people to be angry with him. 
Frazier reached many great goals in his career. In 1948, he became the first Black president of the American Sociological Association. This was a very big honor for a scholar. 
E. Franklin Frazier was a highly influential American sociologist and author. Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior and human groups. Frazier focused his research on African-American culture and complex race relations. He sought to uncover the "social reality" behind how people interact in different systems. His work examined how economic, political, and attitudinal factors shape social relationships. Through his writing, he helped shape how institutions understand the need for social equality. 
Frazier's academic journey began in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended segregated public schools before graduating from the Colored High and Training School in 1912. He then attended Howard University, a prominent historically Black college. At Howard, he was a top scholar studying Latin, Greek, German, and mathematics. He also participated in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Frazier earned his master's degree from Clark University in 1920. He later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1931. 
During his career, Frazier held several important teaching positions. He taught sociology at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. There, he helped establish what is now the Atlanta University School of Social Work. He also taught at Fisk University from 1929 to 1934. Later, he returned to Howard University, where he taught until his death in 1962. He was also a member of the Howard School of International Relations. This group helped expand research regarding race and empire in international affairs.
Frazier's work often addressed the difficult realities of prejudice. In 1927, he published an article titled "The Pathology of Race Prejudice." He used Freudian terms to describe prejudice as "abnormal behavior." He argued that prejudice was linked to mental states like dissociation and paranoia. He suggested that white people in the South were driven to cruelty by a "Negro-complex." This controversial work led to severe threats against his family in Atlanta. As a result, they had to move to Chicago early to ensure their safety. 
One of his most significant achievements was his study of the family unit. His 1932 dissertation became the book *The Negro Family in the United States*, published in 1939. This work analyzed how historical forces, including slavery, influenced Black families. It was one of the first sociological studies of Black people written by a Black researcher. The book won the 1940 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for its importance to race relations. Frazier was widely recognized as a leading scholar on the dynamics of social change.
Frazier also provided critical views of social classes. In 1955, he published *Bourgeoisie noire*, which was translated into English as *The Black Bourgeoisie* in 1957. This book examined the Black middle class and their social behaviors. He argued that this class often engaged in "conspicuous consumption" and "wish fulfillment." His critique received mixed reviews and harsh criticism from Black professionals. Despite the backlash, Frazier remained firm in his sociological arguments. 
His influence extended into the global political arena. In 1950, Frazier helped draft the UNESCO statement known as "The Race Question." He also wrote *Race and Culture Contacts in the Modern World* in 1957. This book explored how European economic expansion impacted global race relations. He noted how the Cold War created new power structures for non-white peoples. He believed the United Nations would serve as a major arena for racial struggles. Frazier's work connected local American issues to international systems.
Frazier's professional honors were numerous and historic. In 1948, he was elected as the first Black president of the American Sociological Association. Throughout his life, he published twelve books, 89 articles, and 18 book chapters. He died in Washington, D.C., in 1962 at the age of 67. His legacy continues through institutions named in his honor. Howard University established the E. Franklin Frazier Center for Social Work Research. Clark University also created a professorship in his name to honor his contributions. 
🖼️ Images & Media (2)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.